How much Blackpool, Fleetwood Town and League One rivals could gain from EFL's £50m relief package

Concerns have been raised about the short and long term financial impacts of COVID-19, and the EFL board met on Wednesday to discuss their response.

It was decided that a £50mi sum would be made available to the 72 EFL clubs to assist with their cash flow requirements.

That figure will be split into immediate payments for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign and an interest-free loan facility.

The BBC have seen the letter sent to clubs on the back of the announcement, and report that the ‘basic award payment’ due to Blackpool, Fleetwood Town and their rivals comes in at £252,200.

The basic award payment is a flat figure for all clubs in the division, staggered over the course of the season.

This is being advanced immediately to help with any short-term cashflow issues.

The letter also states that Blackpool, Fleetwood Town and other League One clubs will, should they choose, be able to borrow up to £182,800 from the loan facility.

The two Fylde coast clubs are also set to benefit from the EFL futures fund.

According to the BBC, the EFL have told clubs a pot of £1m will be used to reward clubs who have fielded players below the age of 21 who qualify to play for England (or Wales, in the case of Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Newport County).

Like the basic award payment, the letter states these payments will be distributed immediately rather than at the end of the season.

The EFL also pledged on Thursday night to help clubs seek support from the government.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a £330 billion package earlier this week to help businesses through the COVID-19 crisis.

Answering questions in parliament, he said lower league clubs would be entitled to support, on issues such as tax payments.